With the holidays fast approaching, there couldn’t be a better time for Gifts.com to announce The 2011 Giftee Awards. The Giftees consists of everyday people nominating their favorite finds from anywhere on the internet across ten categories. The categories range from: “Best Gift Under $25″ to “Hottest Toy for Holiday”. Nominations will be accepted until October 21st after which the Gift Gurus will determine ten finalists in each category. They will be joined by special judges from around the world including Pronto’s very own Style Editor Marie Masters. If your nomination wins, you’ll be entered to win a $500 holiday shopping spree. For a complete list of categories and to make your nominations visit The Giftees official page.
When it comes to makeup, most of us spend the summer trying to avoid the less-than-chic melting look, and leave it at that. Tragically, this tends to mean an entire season during which red lipstick is considered off-limits, given its reputation as being a labor-intensive look that is, well, prone to getting a bit messy.
It looks like I won’t have to shelve my favorite look until September, thanks to Laura Mercier, who it turns out makes that rare, mythical creation: the perfect red lipstick. Of course, choice of shade varies from person to person and complexion to complexion, but I’m a huge devotee of Truly Red lipstick, which strikes the perfect dark but not too dark balance, which in my experience is no easy trick.
Really though, the entire range of colors is fantastic, and, more importantly, it actually stays put without any smudging or bleeding on even the worst days of a heat wave.
For days when committing to lipstick just isn’t in the cards, though, their lip stains are a great back-up plan — subtle, effective, and easy to apply, both the stains and the lipsticks are a surefire way to beat the heat and look good doing it.
As much as I hate to admit it, summer is coming to a close, which means both chillier weather and, in the meantime, end-of-summer showers. But, if we have to put up with rain, we can at least do it in style, and for this we can all take a page from the British aristocrat playbook and step into Hunter Wellington boots.
These look like basic rainboots, 
but these sturdy green staples have been the go-to outdoorsy footwear of the landed gentry for ages, meaning that whenever you see a paparazzi shot of any of the royals on the summer estate, they’re sporting a pair of green Hunters.
Even if you’re not spending your days on the English countryside (it happens to the best of us), these are just as convenient for getting around the city in inclement weather and finally winning the battle against those puddles that seem to extend 3 feet from every curb when it’s been raining.
They also happen to come in a slightly shorter, lace-up style that’s slightly more city-friendly and no less iconic. Classic, comfortable, and built to last, Hunter boots make rainy days not just bearable, but something to look forward to.
Is there any single accessory that connotes cool like sunglasses? And within the realm of sunglasses, is there any brand that has managed to stay as chic over the decades as Ray-Ban? Unlikely. Founded in 1937, the company created both the aviator and the wayfarer, the two most versatile and eternally stylish frames around for both men and women. After 73 years in business Ray-Ban still knows how to stay fresh, and has been playing around recently with some of their most classic styles, like the re-released, perfectly named Clubmaster frame.
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While we’re on the subject of pocket-sized but professional-grade technology, let’s spend a little time with the HP Mini 311 Notebook, the best answer yet to the form versus function dilemma so often presented by the netbook.
Besides it’s seriously sleek exterior, (really, it conjures up images of a James Bond gadget room), the 311 has equally serious tech cred that outstrips its peers: impressive battery life, speakers that are louder and clearer than your average tinny laptop fare, and an amazing capacity to create and display killer graphics unlike any other netbook — the resolution on the display is 1366 x 768. Somehow all of this is packed into an 11.4 x 8.0 x 1.2 in package, more or less the same size as a sheet of notebook paper.
Of course, an uber-portable computer isn’t nearly as fun without a great carrying case, and for that there’s nothing more covetable than this Vintage Style Postal Sleeve.
What better way to bring a classic touch to a hot-off-the-presses gadget? It looks like hours spent in the airport just got a whole lot better.
Sometimes iPods can be a bit of a catch-22 for music lovers: they’re the ultimate individualized (sometimes antisocial) listening device, but with the right speakers they would also be the perfect vehicle for portable playlists at impromptu parties. Of course, there are plenty of iPod docks and speakers on the market, but plugging a device that’s meant to be so portable into a clunky set of speakers somehow feels incongruous, going against the take-it-anywhere spirit of the device.
As I come to terms with the fact that carrying a giant boombox everywhere you go is both inconvenient and occasionally inappropriate, I’ve been on the hunt looking for an iPod dock that looks good without taking up all my shelf space. It’s harder to find than you would think, but I’ve gotten to be a huge fan of the Altec Lansing Octiv Mini, which packs a lot of speaker power into its neat little 4.2 x 4.2 x 7.8 frame. It’s also compatible with all models of iPods and iPhones which, again, is harder to find in dock speakers than you would think. Different people have different speaker priorities, but to me this means that I can change music quickly (or yield DJ duty and let someone else plug in) without having to hassle with an elaborate system or, worse, subject my friends to the tinny sound of laptop speakers.
If you happen to be busting out these speakers for an end-of-summer barbecue, go ahead and put them to good use blasting Best Coast’s new album Crazy For You. A sweet, beach-y throwback, it’s the perfect soundtrack to the dwindling days of summer, the time when we simultaneously get sentimental about sunburns past and brace ourselves for fall. Yes, it really is just around the corner, so revel in these sun-drenched tunes while it still feels seasonal.
I’ve spent a long time being awed and intimidated by those people who somehow manage to get each picture they take to turn out like a small work of art, but I recently realized a key secret: if you’re going to snap like a pro, you need a camera that can live up to your lofty photographic goals. Even a good amateur photog needs the right tools to get the job done, and it’s time I left behind my beloved disposable camera for something a little more grown up.
For stellar photography that you can pull off in the day-to-day (without photo shoot-sized equipment), there’s nothing better on the market right now than the 5D Canon Mark II.
You might not guess it at first glance, but this sleek little piece of equipment is a full frame professional grade camera that’s smaller (and more convenient) than most of its counterparts on the market. The 5D II is also member of DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) family of digital cameras, meaning you can preview and set up your shot more accurately and with minimal effort.
Thankfully, all these features won’t add up to a giant camera bag that will have people mistaking you for a lost member of the paparazzi – the 5D really is incredibly compact for a professional camera, so you can just grab it on your way out, snap some pictures when the spirit moves you, and bask in the onslaught of admiration for your photography skills.
You know that saying “The clothes make the man”? Well I would argue for a culinary-minded update that goes something like, “The knives make the chef.”
Anyone will tell you that a good set of knives is the cornerstone to a kitchen, and I’m especially convinced of this lately, thanks to a recent cooking experience that was nothing short of other-wordly. I was helping out in a friend’s kitchen recently when she handed me the greatest cooking tool I have ever encountered: the Kyocera ceramic knife.
These genius Japanese knives leave their steel counterparts in the dust, with a ceramic blade that is both longer-lasting and easier to clean. Most importantly, they make for chopping that’s smoother and easier than ever seemed possible, speeding up the cooking process in a huge way and making chopping, normally the territory of the sous-chef, unexpectedly fun.
When it actually comes time to sit down and eat (unfortunately, you will have to stop chopping eventually), I’m also a big fan of Wusthof’s line of steak knives. Everything in this line is meticulously designed, from the stain-resistant serrated blades to the stainless steel handles, both efficient and sleek enough to do justice to your undoubtedly excellent choice of steak. Side bonus: they also allow you to blow your friends’ amateur grilling efforts out of the water. And what’s barbecue season without a little healthy competition?
When it comes to flats for work, it can be hard to upgrade from your sneakers without relying too heavily on the ubiquitous ballet flat trend. For a shoe that feels unique but still says “take me seriously, I’ll eventually be your boss,” there’s no better option than leather loafers — classic, comfortable, and versatile, they’re pretty much the perfect shoe for any occasion that doesn’t require either stilettos or galoshes.
The most reliable source I’ve found yet for quality loafers is Etienne Aigner, a great little line that also has a solid collection of gold and silver jewelry, my longtime weakness. While it’s impossible to go wrong with an understated dark brown, I was beyond excited when I came across this pair in “beach nude,” which is a little more versatile when it comes to summer skirts, dresses, or a good pair of white pants.
But let’s not forget about the jewelry: besides turning out a reliable arsenal of basic hoops, studs, and bracelets, this line features an unexpectedly playful mix of gold and silver on a lot of their pieces. It’s not an easy look to make work, but pieces like this necklace definitely fit the bill, and can add a nice twist to an otherwise subdued work outfit. Gold, meet Silver: it’s time you two got better acquainted.
It’s time to make a confession: I have been known to blatantly steal decorating ideas from my friends. And I don’t even feel that bad about it. Really, people in your social circle can be the best source of inspiration when it comes to home decor, and taking a quick look around other people’s apartments is a lot quicker (and more fun) than flipping through stacks and stacks of magazines.
Most recently, I was inspired by a friend who peppers his apartment with Diptyque candles, a habit he formed after surreptitiously doing away with his roommate’s plug-in air freshener. Candles have always been a great way to add instant ambiance to a space, whether it’s a dinner party or a last-minute, wine-fueled rooftop party, and none fit the bill as well as Diptyque.
The entire range smells fantastic, and it doesn’t take much to give your entire place a fresh scent that lingers without being too overpowering — the Mimosa one is ideal for this time of year. I also love the simple, vaguely Deco black and white design, which fits in instantly with pretty much any design scheme you already have.
And, when you find yourself scrambling, I’ve found these to be a great fallback when it comes time to pick up a last-minute host/hostess, wedding, or birthday gift, with enough variety in scent to suit the taste of just about anyone you’re shopping for — they’ll never realize that you forgot to shop for them sooner.
